Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: August 2021

Monday, August 23, 2021

World Vada Pav Day Blog Post – Mouthwatering Mumbai Memories – CTO Vada Pav

WORLD VADA PAV DAY BLOG POST

MY FAVORITE VADA PAV– CTO VADA PAV

Mouthwatering Mumbai Memories
By
VIKRAM KARVE

Today – August 23 – is World Vada Pav Day

On this occasion – let me share mouthwatering memories of the inimitable CTO Vada Pav which I used to relish during my glorious Mumbai days – around 20 years ago.

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VADA PAV

वडा पाव

MOUTHWATERING MUMBAI MEMORIES

CTO VADA PAV

VIKRAM KARVE

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Vada Pav (or Wada Pao – if you want to spell it that way) is my favourite Fast Food.

It is affordable and fulfilling.

In fact Vada Pav is the ultimate Indian Fast Food.

What a Burger– is to America – Vada Pav is to India.

Yes – VADA PAV is truly a value-for-money Indian Burger.

I have a Vada Pav almost every day and have relished Vada Pav at countless places – and though it’s been a long time – I still have fond mouthwatering memories of my all time favourite Vada Pav – the inimitable CTO Vada Pav at Ashok Satam’s stall outside the Central Telegraph Office (CTO) Mumbai – on the Flora Fountain (Hutatma Chowk) side of the Central Telegraph Office (CTO) on the way from Churchgate to VT (CSMT) via Veer Nariman Road – Mahatma Gandhi Road – Dadabhai Naoroji Road.

During my Mumbai days – around 20 years ago – when I lived in Empress Court – near Churchgate – I enjoyed a Vada Pav at CTO Vada Pav Stall every afternoon on my way back home from my office – or during my evening stroll.

The Vada is served freshly fried piping hot and is crisp and crunchy on the outside.

That is how a good Vada should be from the outside – nice and crisp – not soft and soggy like most of the Vada dished out elsewhere.

The moment you bite the sharp zesty effect of the spices and greens hits you there is an abundance of tangy greens in the tasty fusion inside: green chillies, coriander, curry leaves, ginger-garlic, and seasoning.

Don’t chew – just roll your tongue – and – press the hot stuff against your palate – and let it dissolve.

You will feel stimulated for sure...!!!

The Vada is not only mouthwatering – it may be “nose-watering” too – if you have a delicate tongue.

So – you might as well put the Vada in a Pav – and relish the CTO Vada Pav – gazing at the Hutatma Memorial – the Flora Fountain – and nice pretty faces in the crowd rushing by – to and from Churchgate, VT (CSMT) and the bus stops.

I wonder whether the CTO Vada Pav Stall still exists.

I also wonder if the Vada is still as zesty and delicious as it was long ago.

Will some Foodie Vada Pav aficionado Mumbaikar let us know.

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(Well – Dear Mumbaikar Foodies – I just searched on the internet – and it seems CTO Vada Pav is still going strong – and the location seems to be the same – outside the CTO (Central Telegraph Office) towards the Hutatma Chowk side on Mahatma Gandhi Road.

Do visit and let us know if you liked the CTO Vada Pav...)

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Meanwhile – can Foodie Punekars tell me where I can enjoy a good Vada Pav in Pune...?

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VIKRAM KARVE

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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

This food blog was first written 18 years ago in 2003.

This article is a revised re-post of my blogs posted online many times earlier including at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2012/12/eating-out-in-wakad-pune-indias.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2011/09/vada-pav.html and https://vwkarve.wordpress.com/2007/05/29/vada-pav/ etc

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Jingoism and Patriotism

INDEPENDENCE DAY STORY

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JINGOISM versus PATRIOTISM

Fiction Short Story

VIKRAM KARVE

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A Flag Hoisting Ceremony is held in our residential society on Independence Day.

This story happened a few years ago during the Independence Day Flag Hoisting Ceremony held in our residential society (gated community).

Most residents of our residential society are “Techies” who work in various IT Software Firms in the IT Park at Hinjewadi near Pune.

After Flag Hoisting – there was a program of patriotic songs by children.

I noticed a small boy displaying patriotic fervor with great zest – singing patriotic songs most passionately.

Though it was not a fancy-dress competition – the small boy was wearing a dress resembling military uniform – and he even had a toy gun in his hand – which he was waving fervently.

Later – while we were having tea and snacks – I talked to the small boy’s parents – and mentioned his military uniform and toy gun.

“He loves the Army…” his mother said.

“Yes – my son is very patriotic…” his father said.

“You should put him in a Sainik School…” I said, “I think they admit boys when they are 10 years old – from the 6^th standard onwards…”

“Why Sainik School…?” the mother asked me.

“Sainik School will prepare him for the National Defence Academy – NDA – so – he can join as an Army Cadet and later become an Army Officer…” I said.

“Army…? My son is not going to waste his life in the Army – I have got much better plans for him – we are going to put him in an international school…” the father said.

“International School…?” I asked him, a bit curious.

“Yes – I want my son to have the best education – and – after his International Baccalaureate (IB) – we will send him abroad for higher studies…” the father said.

“In any case my son can’t join the Army – he is an American citizen…” the mother said.

“Oh – you are US Citizens…?” I asked her.

“Our son was born in the US when we were working there – so – he is an American citizen…” the father said.

I looked around and saw plenty of jingoism among the young “Techie” couples – and I wondered if they confused jingoism with patriotism.

Now – Sainik Schools have been opened to girls – and – I saw many politicians and “feminists” applaud this decision to admit girls into Sainik Schools.

I wonder how many of these politicians and “feminists” will motivate their daughters or granddaughters to join Sainik Schools…?

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VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

Friday, August 13, 2021

Why Your Children Are Smarter Than You

WHY CHILDREN ARE SMARTER THAN THEIR PARENTS

STORY BY VIKRAM KARVE

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ENTROPY

I love telling stories to put across a point

Do you wonder why the younger generation is always smarter than the older generation...?

Why are your kids always smarter than you...?

It has all go to do with the concept of ENTROPY

What is Entropy...?

Well – I will not delve into the complicated depths of Information Theory – or Thermodynamics – to try and explain the meaning of Entropy.

Long ago – I taught Electronics and Communication Engineering and Information Technology at the Post-Graduate Master's Level in Engineering and Technology (ME and M. Tech. Courses)

In order to explain the concept of Entropy – I used to narrate this simple story about a Hat-Seller and his encounter with some Monkeys...

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THE MONKEYS AND THE HAT SELLER
A Teaching Story
Retold By
VIKRAM KARVE

Once upon a time there was a young hat seller who used to roam around the country from town to town – selling hats for a living.

Yes – he was a hat-seller – and – he sold hats for a living.

On one summer afternoon – while travelling from one town to another – he felt very exhausted.

He was so tired that he decided to take a nap in the forest.

He found a mango tree – with lots of branches – and cool shade.

Placing his bag of hats beside him – the hat seller went to sleep.

When he woke up after a refreshing nap – he found that there were no hats in his bag.

Bewildered – he exclaimed to himself:

“What bad luck. Of all the people – why did the thieves have to rob me...?”

Suddenly he looked up – and – he noticed that the mango tree was full of monkeys – wearing all his colourful hats.

He could not believe his eyes.

Yes – all the monkeys were wearing his hats.

He yelled at the monkeys.

The monkeys screamed back at him.

He made faces at the monkeys.

In response – the monkeys made the same funny faces back at him.

He threw a stone at the monkeys.

In response – the monkeys showered him with raw mangoes.

“Oh my God – how do I get my hats back...?” the hat seller wondered.

He pondered for some time – but he could not find a solution to his predicament.

Finding no answer – he got so frustrated – that he took off his own hat – and he threw the hat on the ground.

To his surprise – all the monkeys also threw their hats to the ground.

The hat seller did not waste a second.

He hurriedly collected all the hats – and he went on his way to the next town.

50 years later – the grandson of the same hat-seller was passing through the same jungle.

The grandson had continued the family business of selling hats.

After walking all afternoon – he was very fatigued and tired.

He found a nice mango tree with lots of branches and cool shade.

So – he decided to rest a while – and soon was fast asleep.

A few hours later – when he woke up – he realized that all the hats from his bag had vanished.

He started searching for the missing hats.

Then he looked up.

To his surprise he found some monkeys sitting on the mango tree wearing his hats.

Yes – the monkeys were wearing all his colourful hats.

At first – he was confused.

He was at a loss not knowing what to do.

Suddenly – he remembered the story his grandfather used to tell him – about the monkeys and the hats.

“I know how to fool these monkeys...” he said to himself, “I will make them imitate me – and very soon – I will get all my hats back.”

He waved at the monkeys – and the monkeys waved back at him.

He blew his nose – and the monkeys blew their noses.

He started dancing – and the monkeys also danced.

He pulled his ears – and the monkeys pulled their ears.

He raised his hands – and the monkeys raised their hands.

Then – he threw his hat on the ground – expecting all the monkeys to do likewise.

Yes – he expected the monkeys to imitate him and throw the hats on the ground (like his grandfather had told him)

But instead – one monkey jumped down from the mango tree.

The monkey walked up to him.

Then – looking into the young man’s eyes – the monkey said:

“Do you think that only you had a grandfather...?”

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ENTROPY

Had a laugh...?

Liked the story...?

Now – Dear Reader – you please tell me:

What is the meaning of Entropy...?

Still clueless...?

Read the story once more.

In fact – keep reading the story again and again – till comprehension dawns on you.

It is simple.

This story emphasizes the importance of “continual learning”.

Unless you keep continuously learning – you will soon become obsolescent – and in due course – you will be rendered obsolete.

This is especially important for senior citizens like me – who have to keep learning new things – especially with the advent of information technology, internet, online processing, social media etc – and – we must keep updating our knowledge and skills – as and when new gadgets are introduced like PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones etc.

Just imagine – if we “Old Fogeys” had stopped learning – if we had not kept abreast of the latest technologies/techniques...?

If we had stopped learning – we senior citizens would have become “antiquated relics” – as the world would have moved ahead at a rapid pace.

The only way to defeat entropy is to keep learning.

Entropy is a measure of uncertainty – of ignorance – and – if you don't keep learning – your entropy will keep increasing – and – you will become more and more clueless – relative to your outside world.

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That is what a law of thermodynamics says – isn’t it:

“THE ENTROPY OF THE UNIVERSE KEEPS INCREASING...”

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So – Dear Reader:

Remember the story of the Monkeys and the Hat-Seller.

Keep learning – and have a nice “entropy-free” life.

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VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

Copyright Notice:

This is a re-post of my article posted online many times earlier including at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2009/12/entropy.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/09/the-story-of-hat-seller-and-monkeys.html and https://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/04/entropy-is-opposite-of-negentropy.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/03/learning-story-meaning-of-entropy.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/09/why-your-children-are-smarter-than-you.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/09/the-story-of-hat-seller-and-monkeys.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2020/12/why-your-kids-are-smarter-than-you.html etc

Monday, August 9, 2021

Military Musings - Need for Jointmanship in HR Policies too

Sharing an article by Raj Datta on how a wrong decision by Naval Headquarters (NHQ) in 2004 is adversely affecting Navy Veterans who retired as Commanders with more than 26 years service.

Because of this wrong decision by Naval Headquarters – Navy Veterans are getting less pension than their counterparts in Army and Air Force who were promoted to Colonel and Group Captain ranks after 26 years service – whereas Navy Officers with 26 years service were not promoted to Captain (IN) rank.

The disparity in pension will further increase once OROP is implemented.

On the one hand we talk of jointmanship – but on the other hand – each service takes its own arbitrary HR decisions – thus creating disparity between personnel of the defence services.

Will the Government, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Navy Chief (CNS) correct this unfair disparity and give justice to the aggrieved Navy Veterans…?

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700 NAVAL COMMANDERS WRONGED

Click link to read the article in Raj Datta’s blog.

I am also posting the article below (with permission of the author) for convenience of readers.

https://rajdutta26.blogspot.com/2019/05/1000-naval-commanders-wronged-navy-is.html

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Tuesday, 7 May 2019

Blog by Cdr Raj Datta

Source Blog Post Link: https://rajdutta26.blogspot.com/2019/05/1000-naval-commanders-wronged-navy-is.html

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700 NAVAL COMMANDERS WRONGED

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Indian Navy is the finest Service of our prestigious Armed Forces. Prior to the commissioning of the NDA in Khadakwasla in 1954, an interim training academy known as JSW(Joint Services Wing) was set up in Dehradoon on 01 Jan 1949. After 2 yrs of training, the top 25 cadets were sent to Dartmouth UK for further 2 yrs of pre-commission training into ‘Indian Navy’. (Adm L Ramdas, VAdm JN Sukul and Cmde SK Bhalla were from this batch -01 JSW).The remaining went to Army and Airforce as per merit. Navy has been a Royale service that can be vouched for by all Naval men. Yet, about 700 Naval Commanders were wronged by their own senior brother officers in the corridors of power in the Naval Headquarters from 2005-2015.

In a move to reduce the age profile of commanding officers and to ease rank stagnation at the level of Majors and Lt Colonels, the government in 2004 announced acceptance of major recommendations of Ajai Vikram Singh Committee, that was announced by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee. The Govt accepted all the recommendations put forward to it by AVSC to “ensure career prospects of army officials and reduce the age at combating level of Commanding Officers.” The AVSC recommendations pertained to all three, Army, Navy and Air Force. As per the recommendations, while the Army and the Air Force promoted their LtCol(TS)/WgCdr(TS) to Col(TS)/Gp Capt(TS) on having accomplished 26 yrs commissioned service. But NHQ alone, while implementing the AVSC Part I recommendations had introduced an additional clause namely, protecting the’ inter se seniority’ as per Navy List, despite clearing Commander (TS) to Substantive Commanders on 16 Dec 2004. The promotion of all Commander(TS) were put on hold for 11 yrs, till such time all Select Commanders were promoted to Captain(TS), protecting their inter se seniority.

Commander Kshirsagar contested the decision in Supreme Court, graduating from lower courts, but the Naval respondent got the court’s decision in its favour by the googly of ‘inter se seniority’. The irony is that there exists ample proof of cases of flouting the ‘inter se seniority’ norms of promotion within the Navy itself. However to garner Judge’s sympathy and a favourable verdict the Naval Respondent had committed in the Honourable Supreme Court that only 237 officers would be affected and rest all shall be promoted, but in effect only 5 officers were promoted in Aug 2016 with loss of seniority, whereas about 1000 Commanders were left in the lurch and made to superannuate as Cdr(TS) from 2005 till Aug 2016.

While within the Navy, the protocol issue was not much of an issue, but in the inter-services organisations, the protocol went topsy-turvy. I had been posted to NCC in the sunset years of my Naval Career. The Army and Airforce Officers who had been my subordinates, became my seniors owing to their promotion to Col/GpCapt Time Scale. I discussed the issue with CNS during his visit to Kolkata in 2009. The CNS mentioned that he shall look into the issue on return. However the COP, VAdm B had made up his mind against the pleas of Commanders(TS) despite making them substantive Cdrs on 16 Dec 2004. These Commanders were wronged on two counts: ONE -Imposition of negative seniority from the time they were granted TS promotion. TWO- Not granting them Captain TS, despite they fulfilling the laid down criteria.

PRESENT STATUS: After all select Commanders were promoted to Capt(TS) after 26 yrs commissioned service, now all officers are being promoted to Commander at 13 yrs service and those that miss selection grade to Captain are promoted to Capt(TS) after 26 yrs of commissioned service.

EFFECTIVE IMPLICATION: All Officers who continue to superannuate after full service (33 yrs) shall retire as Capt(TS) and no one shall hitherto retire as Commander beyond 26 yrs commissioned service.

REPERCUSSION: The OROP stipulates equalisation of pension of the Same rank with the Same length of service. But since there shall be NO Commander retiring beyond 26 yrs commissioned service, what formula shall be worked out for about 1000 Commanders who superannuated with 30+ yrs service? The effect of financial loss would work out to Rs 20,000/ in the first equalisation in 2019 and the loss shall be colossal in next equalisation. This anguish could have been foreseen by NHQ and these affected Commanders been granted Captain(TS) a day prior to their superannuation/ retirement. But alas !!

IS THAT NOT GROSS INJUSTICE METED OUT TO THESE COMMANDERS OF THE INDIAN NAVY ?? HOW WOULD IT BE RESOLVED BY THE HEADQUARTERS OF NAVY SO THAT THEY ARE NOT PENALISED THEIR OROP BENEFITS ??

WILL THESE COMMANDERS WHO HAVE BEEN WRONGED, EVER SECURE JUSTICE FOR THEMSELVES ?

WAY OUT: To scale the impasse the present ‘Chief of the Naval Staff’ is requested to grant Capt(TS) Rank to the affected Commanders to ensure that they are not bereft of their rightful OROP benefits and Justice ultimately acquiesces.

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Link to Source Blog Post: https://rajdutta26.blogspot.com/2019/05/1000-naval-commanders-wronged-navy-is.html

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About the Author

Commander Rajinder Dutta (Retd) has been a Naval Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor with about 3000 hrs of flying on various fixed wing Aircraft of Indian Navy, viz HT-2, HPT-32, Kirans, Islander, Super Connie, Fokker F-27 and IL-38.

He is a Master of Ceremonies and a blogger.

His Blog: http://rajdutta26.blogspot.com/

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